Prayer is a familiar practice for many of us, often woven into the fabric of our daily lives. For some, it’s a ritual performed multiple times throughout the day. But what motivates us to pray?
I understand why I pray. I seek constant forgiveness and guidance to navigate life’s challenges and difficulties. I pray for the protection of those I love, as well as those I may not. I communicate with Yahuah to express my love and respect for Him, and to show my gratitude for sending His son, Yahusha, who laid down His life for my sins and rose again triumphantly as the Messiah and high Melchizedek priest, interceding for me at the right hand of the Father.
I offer my thanks, fully aware that I do not deserve even a fraction of His grace and forgiveness. Yet, His word assures me that He loves and cares for me. Who am I to receive such kindness?
I pray in gratitude for the food and provisions in my life. (Philippians 4:19) I seek discernment and wisdom as I study Scripture. I also pray for the courage to speak before a crowd of believers, many of whom possess far greater knowledge than I do. Most importantly, I ask for the Ruach HaKodesh to speak through me, delivering Yahuah’s message rather than my own.
The Prophet Isaiah eloquently captures Yahuah’s faithfulness to all who are considered ‘the remnant of Israel’—those who place their prayerful trust in Him:
I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.
Isaiah 46:4
Examples of Effective Prayer
Of course we know that in Matthew 6:9-13 Yahusha taught us to pray – commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. However, this is not the only approach we should take in prayer. In verse five of Matthew 6, Yahusha admonished us to be authentic.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:5-8
So it is okay to pray in other ways and for specific purposes. Other notable prayers you may recall from the Bible are:
Yahusha’s prayer prior to his crucifixion:
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
Hannah’s prayer for a child:
In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
1 Samuel 1:10-11
Solomon’s prayer for wisdom:
Now, Yahuah my Elohim, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
1 Kings 3:7-9
David’s prayer of personal repentence:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2
Daniel’s prays for the repentance of Yah’s people:
“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.”
Daniel 9:4-5
Before we dive into our study on effective prayer, take a few minutes of your time to make a list of current prayer requests. Note specifically your approach to the Father. Put this aside for now, as we will revisit this later in Part 2 of this article.
Effective Prayer Requires Preparation
It is essential to examine certain specific preparations mentioned in scripture and explore how they relate to effective prayer.
Synopsis: Jesus encounters a large crowd and finds His disciples arguing with some scribes. A man approaches Him, explaining that his son is possessed by a spirit that causes severe physical convulsions and has made him unable to speak. The man had asked Jesus’ disciples to cast out the spirit, but they were unsuccessful. Jesus expresses frustration at the lack of faith among the people and asks for the boy to be brought to Him. When the boy is presented, he convulses violently. The father shares that this has been happening since childhood and pleads for help, expressing doubt in his belief. Jesus reassures him that all things are possible for those who believe. The father cries out for help with his unbelief. Jesus then commands the unclean spirit to leave the boy, and despite the boy appearing dead after the spirit’s departure, Jesus lifts him up, restoring him to life. After He went into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out? ” And He told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting .”
Key: The disciples were unable to drive out the unclean spirit because they had not spent time praying and fasting prior to the encounter.
Another one of my favorites is Elihjah’s prayer on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:20-38:
Synopsis: The prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the true God. He challenges them to a contest: each side will prepare a bull for sacrifice and call upon their deity to send down fire to consume it. The prophets of Baal go first, calling out and performing rituals all day without any response from Baal. Elijah then prepares his altar, drenches it with water, and prays to the Lord. God answers Elijah’s prayer by sending fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench around the altar. This event leads the people to proclaim that the Lord is the true God.
Keys: There are several key components tied to effective prayer in action here. In verse 24 the prophet drew a line between the One True Elohim – YHWH– and the false gods and priests of Baal. This is a very important distinction that will impact our prayer lives. In verses 30-33 Elijah called the people near as he took the time to repair the altar of worship that had been neglected. This neglect served as a metaphor for the deterioration of the people’s faith. In repairing the altar, Elijah was obeying the requirements of the Law (Leviticus 1:9) which were binding on Israel. Yahuah’s commands are also binding on us. Lastly, in verses 36-37 Elijah reminded the people of their heritage by invoking the names of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Israel) who in times past were also witnesses to YHWH’s miraculous power (often by fire) on their behalf. He was able to perform this amazing thing on Mt. Carmel because he acted according to Yah’s word.
Here are a few other examples of effective prayer from scripture to examine for this study:
Yahusha’s prayer for Lazarus to be raised from the dead in John 11:41-44
Peter’s rescue from prison in Acts 12:5-17 (Here it doesn’t quote the prayer but in verse 5 it reads “So Kĕpha was indeed kept in prison, but prayer was earnestly made to Elohim on his behalf by the assembly.”)
Paul and Silas’ rescue from prison in Acts 16:25-26 (Again, here it doesn’t quote the prayer but in verse 25 it reads “And at midnight Sha’ul and Silas were praying and singing songs to Elohim, and the prisoners were listening to them.” )
While there are numerous examples to explore in this study, I think these examples are particularly relevant and worth considering.
Understanding Effective Prayer: What It Looks Like and How It Works
Growing up in Oklahoma with a mother who had unwavering faith in the power of prayer, I learned early on that when severe weather approaches, we pray against the storm, rebuking it and commanding it to be calm and still, just as Yahusha did. I am grateful to have witnessed storm after storm dissipate as it neared our home, all thanks to our prayers. Praise Yahuah!
Let’s consider what effective prayer really looks like in our lives. You may be familiar with the examples listed below. However, when reading through them this time around, pay particular attention to small details and hints presented in the text, which point us toward achieving effective prayer.
What are some passages that discuss prayer in a higher level of detail? We will begin with James 5:13-19, which focuses on prayers that target specific needs.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:13-16
At the end of this section of scripture, James uses Elijah as an example of what effectual prayer can accomplish.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
James 5:17-18
The Method of Effective Prayer
Now we will focus on the ‘method’ presented in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which leads to achieving the desired result in one’s prayer life.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Realize you are ‘His people called by His name → Humble yourself → Seek His face (meaning seek his torah/ways in earnest) → Turn away from wicked ways (meaning truly repenting from sins and sinning no more = Yahuah hearing you (your prayers) from heaven = Forgiveness of one’s sins and healing of the land.
Self Realization of Identity + Work + Faith + Learning + Difficult lifestyle changing work = Yah actually hearing prayer = Forgiveness and Healing.
I won’t break down the subsequent examples listed below in this way, but hopefully this gives a visual of how to identify key points, key words, and methodologies of achieving more effective prayer, in your personal studies.
• 1 Kings 8:22-53 – Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication: Here we see King Solomon’s extensive prayer at the dedication of the temple, highlighting the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and Yah’s faithfulness.
• Daniel 9:1-19 – Daniel’s Prayer for His People: Daniel’s pours out his heart in confession, repentance, and supplication for the people of Israel, humbly seeking and seeking God’s mercy.
• Mark 11:24 – Highlights the importance of faith in Yahuah, believing that He is able to accomplish things that appear impossible with infinite ease.
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Emphasizes that there is to be such confidence in Yah as to free our mind from anxiety, and such a sense of dependence on Him as to keep it calm.Everything is in reference to the supply of our wants and our spiritual condition.Supplication is a mode of prayer which arises from that sense of need or want. Thanksgiving is the heart condition necessary as we make our requests known.
• 1 John 5:14-15 – The confidence referred to here is that which relates to the answer to prayer. The sense is that one of the effects of believing on Messiah is that we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered. We must remember also that Yah has not promised to grant anything that is contrary to His will. The expression ‘according to His will’ is a) in accordance with what He has declared He is willing to grant and b) limits the answer to prayer to what He sees to be best for us and our situation.
• John 17 – Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer: This entire chapter is a beautiful prayer by Yahusha, where he prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers.
•• In Ephesians 1:15-19 , Paul highlights a heart full of thanksgiving, asks for wisdom and revelation of knowledge and that the Ephesians would have enlightened minds to know the ‘hope of His calling’ for their lives.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
One prayer many are familiar with is from Daniel 9:1-20. Often referred to as a prayer for his people, Daniel’s Prayer is a shining example of how confession and humility can be the catalysts for powerful prayer. Here is the preamble, and the prayer in its entirety, for you to review and analyze in your devotional time:
In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans: In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be 70. So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but this day public shame belongs to us: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel — those who are near and those who are far, in all the countries where You have dispersed them because of the disloyalty they have shown toward You. 8Lord, public shame belongs to us, our kings, our leaders, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following His instructions that He set before us through His servants the prophets. All Israel has broken Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. The promised curse written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against Him. He has carried out His words that He spoke against us and against our rulers by bringing on us so great a disaster that nothing like what has been done to Jerusalem has ever been done under all of heaven.
Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not appeased the Lord our God by turning from our iniquities and paying attention to Your truth. So the Lord kept the disaster in mind and brought it on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all He has done. But we have not obeyed Him.
Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made Your name renowned as it is this day, we have sinned, we have acted wickedly. Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, may Your anger and wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become an object of ridicule to all those around us.
Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of Your servant. Show Your favor to Your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake. Listen, my God, and hear. Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city called by Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion. Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for Your own sake, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.
In Part II of “Effective Prayer: A Torah Perspective”, we will explore how prayer preparation results in an impactful and meaningful life and why it is important.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in the Beatitudes.1 In the fifth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Yahusha teaches critical topics, presenting foundational principles of discipleship. He mentors his followers on how to respond righteously toward others and navigate the world when faced with various situations. This article explores the relevance of these principles in today’s fallen world and their enduring significance as we approach the end times.
In Matthew 5:10-20, Yahusha describes the nature and behavior of true disciples. He warns that this faith walk will not be a cakewalk.2 He tells His followers to expect persecution from the world because of their light and ‘saltiness’.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (NRSV) Matthew 5:10-20
The Believer’s Response to Persecution
Matthew 5:10-11 delivers an essential message to disciples about the unavoidable reality that all believers will encounter: persecution. Yet, the result of such persecution is that you will be blessed.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (NRSV)
The Greek word for blessed used here is markarios,3 an adjective that is defined as blessed or happy. A more poetic expression of the Greek root word makar, elevates its meaning as to be supremely blessed, happy, or fortunate. The other keyword in the passage is dioko,4 which means to be made to run or flee, driven away, be harassed, troubled, and mistreated.
So, how does being mistreated, harassed, and driven away make a person feel happy, fortunate, and supremely blessed? Our natural inclination is not to feel happiness in response to persecution. But how does experiencing persecution for the sake of righteousness contrast with the Hebraic usage of the word “blessed?”
The answer may be found by taking a look at Deuteronomy chapter 28’s usage of the word blessed, which is barak.5 Barak is a primitive root meaning to kneel, and by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit), or to praise, salute, or curse.
For the Hebrew disciples, the concept of “blessing” was closely linked to enduring persecution while living righteously in obedience to Yahusha’s teachings. They might perceive it like this: when persecuted for upholding the Torah and the testimony of Yahusha HaMashiach, the entire experience felt like being in the presence of Yahuah the Father—kneeling, saluting, blessing, and adoring Him. In their spirit, they recognized the grace, love, and mercy the Father bestowed upon them. This understanding served as a reminder and affirmation that they were on the right path, the narrow way leading to the Kingdom of Heaven.
With this in mind, it makes more sense that a disciple’s reaction to such persecution would result in actual happiness and the feeling of being blessed, as the Greek concept of the word blessed implies.
And they heeded his advice, and having called for the emissaries, beating them, they commanded that they should not speak in the Name of יהושע, and let them go. Then indeed they went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name. And daily in the Set-apart Place, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and bringing the Good News: יהושע the Messiah! Acts 5:40-42 (TS2009).
Verse 40 indicates that they were rejoicing that this persecution took place and that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of the Messiah. Also, we see that regardless of the threat of harm, they never stopped teaching the testimony of Yahusha Messiah. We see many other accounts of persecution throughout Scripture, such as Stephens’s martyrdom in Acts 7, James’ murder by King Herod Agrippa in Acts 12, Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown into prison in Acts 16, Paul’s accounts of persecution in 2 Corinthians 11, and of course the persecution of Yahusha himself as detailed in the synoptic gospels.
So what we can clearly see from the death of Yahusha, Stephen, and others is their attitude and example of spiritual maturity. Their response to the harshest persecution imaginable, being murdered, was a desire in their heart for the Father to forgive the persecutors, for they did not know what they were doing. The hope of repentance and redemption still remains even for them.
This is the heart of our Messiah Yahusha, and I pray he gives us all the same heart. I love the example shown in Acts 2:14-41 following the miracle of the Holy Spirit granting tongues of different languages to share the gospel message. In verse 37, after hearing Peter’s explanation of Scripture and the testimony of Messiah, these people were pierced to the heart. Realizing now that they had participated in the persecution and murder of Messiah, they ask Peter, “What shall we do”? To which Peter replies in verse 28, “Repent, and let each one of you is immersed (mikvah) in the Name of Yahusha Messiah for the forgiveness of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit.”
Our Behavior Is Our Witness
Sharing our faith with those who do not believe in the Bible, Yahuah the Creator, or Yahusha, His Son, and treating them with kindness and respect, is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of our responsibilities as believers.
But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! Romans 10:14 HCSB)
The verse clearly asks, how can the lost believe in Yahuah, his Torah, and the redemption available to them through Yahusha Messiah if they never hear about them? Many believers in the United States take it for granted that most people have at least heard of the Bible, but according to a 2021 Statista survey[a], 29% of Americans have never even read the Bible. The same study also points out that only 11% of Americans read their Bible daily. That, of course, means the remaining 60% are somewhere in between.
Romans chapters 10 and 11 focus on Israel’s rejection of Yah’s ways and the Messiah, yet conclude with a hopeful reminder that it is not too late for them to return to Yahuah; they can still be grafted back into Yah’s kingdom.
Brothers and sisters, if these figures tell us anything, it is that most of the people in America are either lost or are being pulled further away from the principles and laws taught in the Bible. It’s no wonder that we are witnessing lawlessness abound in America. Unjust or perverse “laws” continue to be instituted, which are contrary to Scripture and the Torah. This is because 89% of them don’t read, study, or understand the Creator’s words or commands. And to no surprise of the believer, we all clearly see these people continuing to descend in wickedness. 2 Peter 3:9 says,
“יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (TS2009)
Therefore, we should never give up on witnessing to the lost because the reality is that many of these men and women are victims of deceit from both the evil one and wicked people. We must remember that as Paul states in 1 Timothy 1:9-11:
But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching.
Mark 16:15 also tells us to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (ESV)
Additionally, Yahuah instructs Jeremiah 1:7-8 in this way:
Then the Lord said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration. (HCSB)
This instruction is just as valid for believers today. We must never stop reaching out to the lost or trying to teach them the difference between righteousness and wickedness because this is indeed a Gospel Worth Dying For. If it means that just one more soul is led to salvation in Yahusha messiah, the truth of Yahuah’s ways, then it is worth it.
There is also the matter of how Scripture teaches us to treat people. Matthew 5:16 reads,
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)
Likewise, we are urged in Luke 6 and Matthew 5 to love our enemies, do good to them, and pray for them. This doesn’t mean we yoke ourselves with evil people because Proverbs 4 warns us to stay away from the path of the wicked. But inevitably, we do interact with the world in our daily lives. When we do we must remember Romans 12:4, 1 Peter 3:9, and follow the directives given in Proverbs 24:17-18…
Don’t gloat when your enemy falls, and don’t let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the Lord will see, be displeased, and turn His wrath away from him.
We must remember that vengeance is Yahuah’s6. Yah will contend with the darkness, evil, and the wicked in His timing. We as believers need to remain focused on Messiah Yahusha’s instructions to let the light of our redeemed life shine before mankind.
Consider it this way: the world of the lost is like a ship caught in a violent storm, surrounded by darkness, wind, rain, hail, and lightning. The people are adrift at sea, tossed by the turbulent waves. Their only hope is the guiding light of a lighthouse, which can lead them safely back to shore, allowing them to stand on solid ground. Yet, the storm also batters the lighthouse itself, subjecting it to the relentless assault of rain, hail, wind, and lightning. Despite this, the lighthouse must remain steadfast, enduring the storm’s fury to provide a beacon of hope.
Praise Yahuah that the lighthouse is maintained by the most capable keeper imaginable, the Ruach Hakodesh, and its light reflects the goodness and safety found in Yahusha Messiah. Our role is to endure the challenges because we cherish the light within us. Our heart’s desire should align with the light’s aim: to guide those lost at sea to safety so they can walk in the light again. However, those adrift must choose to seek the light and steer their course toward it once they see it. While Yah will assist them on their journey, the choice remains theirs.
Navigating Disagreements with Grace and Respect
Last but not least, it is essential to consider how we treat fellow believers who may disagree with our interpretation of Scripture. If you have stuck with reading this article thus far, I would encourage you to read through my article Patience Rooted in Love. In it, I outline how Yah’s word guides us on how to show love and patience toward one another in circumstances of differing scriptural understanding.
Brother Matthew Janzen once stated, “We are in the same school, but we are not all in the same grade.” I like this statement because it reminds us that we are all in this together; we are all still learning, but we are not all at the same point in our studies or understanding.
I would also add that we should be reminded to remain humble because this school, the School of Torah Keeping and Belief in Yahusha Messiah, doesn’t end at grade 12. We continue to be students our entire lives, so we must remain diligent, humble, and kind throughout this walk.
Reverend John Watson (1850-1907) once said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” This walk is challenging for all of us at times. When we are at our lowest points, we often need someone to reach out and pick us up. Likewise, we should be ready to lift others up at their low points.
As Galatians 6:2 points out, we are to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
You might be asking yourself, but what about mainstream Christians who reject Yahuah’s commandments and believe all of the Law is done away with? That attitude would fall into one of the categories discussed in this article. Hopefully, they are in the same school – the school of Yahuah – and they are only in a lower grade and responding as a youthful, immature student often does when challenged with information that is contrary to their current understanding.
Or, they may fall into the category of the ‘world’ – participating in deception and joining in on the persecution of Yah’s people. Of which I sincerely hope they are not, but as we can see from Scripture, many of them are. Nonetheless, their negative response to our obedience to Torah observance should not sway us because either way, we must continue to be the light and flavorful salt of the earth. We must continue being kind, loving, and building one another up.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I pray that it has blessed you and challenged you to delve deeper into Yahuah’s word, draw closer to him, and act daily as the representatives of Messiah Yahusha that we are all called to be.
FOOTNOTES
1 In the context of Matthew 5:3–12, the word beatitude means a specific declaration of blessedness, and these declarations and promises are often found in the Psalms of the Old Testament.
2 A cakewalk is an absurdly or surprisingly easy task.
3 Strong’s #G3107
4 Strong’s #G1377
5 Strong’s #H1288
6 Deuteronomy 32:25, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30, and Psalm 94:1
[a] Bible readership in the U.S. 2021 | Statista.com
It is hard to believe, but we are only a few months away from Sukkot – the Feast of Tabernacles. Recognizing that we no longer live under a Temple system, the Father is honored when His children do what they can to memorialize this important Festival.
Faith brothers and sisters are scattered all over this earthly realm. Unfortunately, not everyone will have friends nearby to join them in this 7+ day Festival. But you still have options.
Whether you plan to celebrate solo, with family, or with a group, here are some suggestions to help you prepare for these upcoming days of joy.
Celebrating Solo
If you will be celebrating solo, here are some things you can do:
Try to plan your vacation time around the feast days.
If you can’t get the entire time off from work, request days off on the 1st and 8th days of the festival. Or, set aside time each day for prayer, praise, and worship.
Construct a sukkah or booth in your apartment, flat, patio, or backyard. You can even pitch a small pop-up tent inside your apartment for the week.
Cut some palm tree branches and wave them while listening to praise & worship music.
Celebrating with Family
If building a backyard Sukkah is impractical, consider traveling to a nearby park or recreational area that allows for tent or recreational vehicle (RV) camping. Invite others who follow the Torah to join you.
Sukkot is not ‘just camping’ so try to align your activities as closely as possible to what is written in the Scriptures. (Lev 23:33-44, Deut 16:13-15, Num 29:12)
Assign various family members activities that fit their gifts and interests. Someone who is musically gifted can lead worship. Others can lead scripture discussion groups.
Build a campfire each night (if allowed) to encourage fellowship.
Again, try to plan vacation days to coincide with these feast days.
Celebrating with a Group
Finding a Sukkot group can be tricky if you are new to the Torah and have not met others who share your understanding of scripture or maturity level. When beliefs collide during the feast days, it can get ugly. Over the years our ministry has heard stories of people leaving in a huff because they were offended by other’s interpretations of scripture meanings. This is why it is important for you to thoroughly research Sukkot groups who promote gatherings online. This is an important first step.
If the ministry you follow online offers a fellowship finder app, this is even better. Download the app and register. Most are zip-code (in the US) linked, so it is not hard to connect with others in your area. Just be transparent when you reach out and let the person know how you found them.
If you want to host your own gathering, the fellowship finder method also works. Here are some steps to follow:
Decide who will host the gathering and publish their contact email addresses.
Scout a location to host the gathering. A state park is an excellent resource.
Once you decide on a location, look for zip codes within a reasonable drive to the location. For example, if you want to host the event in Waco, Texas, draw a 50-mile perimeter around the city and contain those who fall within that distance. It is up to you to decide how small or big you want the gathering to be.
Write a detailed introductory email explaining the who, what, when, where, why, and how — especially how you found them. Here is an example email:
Create a webpage where people can get details, including contact email addresses.
Plan Q & A Zoom meetups to get feedback and enlist volunteers to help with Sukkot planning.
Final Thoughts on Prepping for Sukkot 2024
While this is not an exhaustive guide, it should be enough to get you started. The important thing to remember is why we gather in the first place. When we honor YHWH by observing His appointed times, we become anchored to our spiritual roots and stir up our faith in a glorious future as resurrected Kingdom people. Historically these pilgrimage feasts were beneficial for the people of Yah in several ways:
These annual gatherings put the numerical strength and beauty of Yah’s people on display to the world.
Leaving our daily routines and getting out into nature restores our health and well-being.
Children and young adults realize they are not ‘weird’ when they bond with each other Yah’s way.
We enlarge our understanding of the Scriptures in an atmosphere of love and appreciation for what YHWH and Yeshua have done for us.
We get a ‘taste’ of what the Kingdom will be like.
We demonstrate our commitment to obey YHWH’s commandments by honoring His feast days.
Hope this helps. We pray your Sukkot will be filled with joy this year.
Contrary to what you may think, prayer is not just casual conversation with Eloah — the living God. Our prayers should be based on Scriptural promises and taken seriously, without the need for excessive wording to gain Yah’s attention. Our approach to prayer matters.
Sadly, most believers have never received instruction in the proper protocol for entering the throne room of Heaven. Instead, many of us were fed a top 10 list of why we fail to pray. The good news is it is never too late to learn how to pray. The keys are in your Bible.
Disciples Pray
Yeshua expects his disciples to pray.
Therefore I say to you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received, and it will be done for you.
Mark 11:24
Although this verse implies that we will get a blank check to receive whatever we ask, nothing could be further from the truth. Prayer has its protocol. We are instructed to pray to the Father in the name of the Son by the direction and power of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Holy Spirit). This will get us to the starting point. But there is more to consider.
Here is a list of 10 principles for effective prayer:
#1 Believe that the Father loves you
We do not have an emotionally distant heavenly Father. He loves us just as much as when we are obedient as when we fall into sin. After Adam and Chavah1 broke the covenant in the Garden of Eden, YHWH (Yahuah)provided a way for humanity to be redeemed through faith in a coming Messiah.2 (Genesis 3)
Just as the prodigal’s father welcomed him with open arms when he returned home, we can all expect a similar reception from Yahuah when we come to him in prayer. (Luke 15:11-32)
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Luke 11:13
In his sermon on the mount, Yeshua gave us instructions on how to pray. (Matthew 6:5-13) He stressed the importance of getting alone with the Father in a private place. (Mark 1:35)
In corporate prayer, where two or more are gathered to petition the Father, we pray as one body for a desired outcome. (Acts 2:42) (Matthew 18:20) (Psalm 34:3)
When the disciples asked Yeshua why they were unable to drive a demon out of a boy he replied: ‘This kind is able to come forth with nothing except with prayer.’ (Mark 9:29)3
The Hebrew word for intercession is paga, which is defined as “having an effect by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by opportunity.” The Greek equivalent is huperentugchano, which simply means “to intercede on behalf of or for the sake of.” Jamie Rohrbaugh defines intercession as “colliding with God violently until His will is enforced on the earth.” This kind of aggressive prayer warfare is necessary when we face seemingly insurmountable odds such as catastrophic illness or the impending failure of a marriage.
#2 Faith triumphs over wishful thinking
Our prayers ought to begin with faith. We must believe that our petitions will be heard and answered in Yah’s way and in His timing.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
According to Biblical Illustrator, the term faith “expresses a confidence or persuasion of the truth of anything not self-evident, received upon the testimony of another.” The testimony here is that of Yahuah’s character. He delights to hear and answer our prayers. But if we doubt his promise to come to our aid, then prayer is pointless.
Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1
Biblical faith is not a pipe dream or wishful thinking. In Matthew’s gospel, when Yeshua caused the fig tree to wither, the disciples wanted to know how he did it. His explanation tied the moving of a mountain to belief.
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Matthew 21:21,22
The Greek word for faith used here is pistis. It means being fully persuaded or having the moral conviction of the truthfulness of Yahuah. When we possess unwavering faith, we can be confident that we will receive whatever we ask for — in Yah’s timing and in His way.
#3 The Holy Spirit must guide you
Prayer is not a way for us to get Yah to do what we want. It is a way for us to become an instrument for Eloah to do what He wants. This mindset requires that we renounce our own will and embrace His.
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14
According to theologian Albert Barnes, the limitation “according to His will” probably means in accordance with what He has declared He is willing to grant. Put another way, Yah limits the answer to prayer to what He believes to be best for us.
The expression must limit the petition to what it will be consistent for God to bestow upon us.We can‘t expect that he will work a miracle to answer our prayers; we can’t ask him to bestow blessings in violation of any of the laws which he has ordained or in any other way than that which he has appointed. The expression must limit the promise to what will be for the good of the whole. The interests of the whole creation as well as the individuals are to be regarded.
To be led by the Spirit is to submit to the Spirit’s influence and control. How does this translate practically? We strive to obey the Torah (instructions for living). The Spirit’s direction as we obey the commandments marks us as His children.
Since prayer is a major weapon of spiritual warfare we must rely on the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Holy Spirit) to guide us. (Romans 8:14) To become a child of Eloah, we must be born by His Ruach — without which we can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The key is learning how to be led by the Spirit. We must allow the Spirit to pray through us the type of prayer that needs to be prayed for the situation we face.
When we release the reins of our soul, the Ruach liberates our spirit to pray effectively through “groaning too deep for words.” The Spirit gives us the right prayer to utter in our own language — a prayer we never would have prayed when left to ourselves. It is an activity of our spirit that goes beyond our mind’s ability to understand.
#4 We must ask in the authority of Yeshua’s name
And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:13,14
Three things are implied when we pray in the name of Yeshua.
We come to Eloah on the basis of what Yeshua has done for us (1 Peter 3:18) (Ephesians 2:13) (Hebrews 12:24)
We come on the basis of Yeshua’s position as our mediator and High Priest (1 John 2:1)
We come on the basis of the relationship we have with the Father through him (Ephesians 1:3-6)
The Father had an eternal purpose before Creation ever took place. He had foreknowledge of us and determined that through Yeshua he would adopt us into his family as his children.
When we pray in Yeshua’s name, it is equivalent to saying “on Yeshua’s account.” When someone with money in a bank authorizes another person to draw on their account, it is similar to how we are given permission to ask the Father for anything in the name of the Son. Because the Father is well pleased in Yeshua and we are friends of the Son, he answers our prayers.
#5 Our motives must be pure
Our desire to glorify Yah is always the right motive. It is our sole purpose for living. Prayer is just one of the ways Yah has ordained for us to give Him glory.
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13
When we pray, we need to ask ourselves: Am I praying for this thing out of the old or new self (man)? Is my request being made because I want it or because Yahuah wants it for me? When we try to force our own will through, we do not make room for the will of Eloah.
Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power this is at work in us, to Him be the glory int he ekklesia and in Yeshua HaMoshiach to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3: 20,21
Prayer is a way for us to become an instrument for Yah to do what He wants in our lives. The right motive for prayer is to bring glory to Yah. Our purpose for living is to glorify the Father through the Son.
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13
#6 Humility matters
The hallmark of our Messiah’s life and ministry was humility.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Like our Messiah, we must throw aside pride and self-centeredness when we approach the Father in prayer. We must come to a place in our spiritual maturity where we seek Yahuah’s solution to our problems and challenges in life. Ministry can not be motivated by selfish ambition. The only way to deal with it is to die to “self.”
In laying off your burdens, therefore, the first one you must get rid of is yourself. You must hand yourself and all your inward experiences, your temptations, your temperament, your frames, and reelings, all over into the care and keeping of your God, and leave them there. He made you and therefore He understands you, and knows how to manage you, and you must trust Him to do it.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
James 4:10
#7 Prayer is our priestly duty
As citizens of the coming Kingdom, we must learn to minister as priests, offering the kind of sacrifices — of prayer and praise — that Yah requires in this age.
And yourselves, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Yeshua.
1 Peter 2:5
The word for priest in Hebrew is kohen. It means “chief ruler; one who officiates and judges or mediates in religious services.” The first mention of the word priest is in Genesis when Abraham encounters Melchizedek. This is the eternal order of priesthood that Yeshua belongs to. This priestly order came before the Levitical order, which was tied to genealogy.
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.
Hebrews 7:1-3
One day believers will rule and reign with Yeshua in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. In order to rule, we first have to learn to minister as priests in prayer. As we learn to pray, we become qualified to rule as priests. In essence, we learn to rule “rightly” through the discipline of prayer.
Priests are intercessors and judges. Unlike corrupt judges in our secular world who are easily bribed, those who inherit positions of authority in the Kingdom will possess integrity. At that time we will be equipped to always judge righteously because of the permanent indwelling of the Spirit in an incorruptible resurrection body. Our judgments will be based on an error-free understanding of the eternal Word of Yahuah that will be permanently etched on our circumcised hearts. This is a promise of the New Covenant. (Hebrews 8:6-13)
#8 Our personal relationships must be healthy
Before praying, we should make every effort to reconcile with our brother or sister if there is something we have done that has wounded them.
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.
Mark 11:25
Our modern-day, post-temple “gifts and sacrifices” that we bring to the altar are our prayers that are steeped in praise. Believers are not to behave like petulant children. We are called to handle disputes in mature love, with the goal of restoration and reconciliation in mind.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23,24
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:15,16
Healthy relationships between brothers and sisters in the faith matter to the Father. We can’t expect Eloah to hear our petitions or forgive us if our relationship with a fellow believer is broken. It is our responsibility to reconcile before entering Yahuah’s presence. In doing so we approach the Father with a clear conscience and renewed confidence that our prayers will be heard. (Matthew 18:23-24)
#9 We approach the Father with confidence
Yeshua laid down his life willingly so sinful humanity could be forgiven and become eligible to receive eternal life. This selfless act made on our behalf means we can be confident in our prayer life.
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
Colossians 2:13,14
Walking in the Spirit means we are doing our best to obey the Torah’s instructions on how to live righteously. Our conscience is clear knowing that we will not be condemned as a result of sin — which is transgression of the law. The gospel of grace made possible by our High Priest Yeshua sets us free from the condemnation of the law.
There is therefore now no condemnation of those who are in Yeshua Hamashiach.
Romans 8:1
#10 Fasting energizes prayer for a breakthrough
Sometimes circumstances dictate that we combine prayer with fasting. Humbling ourselves by denying our bodies food (and sometimes water too) is a practice that few avail themselves of today. But the scriptures are full of examples where fasting sowed the seed for the miraculous to happen.
Esther’s preparation before petitioning the King on behalf of Israel (Esther 4:15-17)
Moses on Mt. Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:9-18)
When Darius spent the night fasting after Daniel was cast in the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:18)
The sparing of Nineveh (Jonah 3)
When Daniel sought understanding regarding the end of the 70 years in Babylon (Daniel 9:3)
Elijah’s escape from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:4-8)
Yeshua’s fast before his testing in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1,2)
However, no amount of fasting will move Eloah’s heart if our behaviors and motives are rotten. Isaiah the Prophet makes this clear. (Isaiah 58) Fasting is not meant to twist the Father’s arm to get what we want. It is designed to prioritize the Spirit’s leading over the flesh’s demands. It helps us reign in our thoughts and emotions to line up with the Word.
Final Thoughts on Effective Prayer
As we come to our Father in prayer we must always remember that we have been invited to this throne to receive mercy. A throne denotes a King. In the case of the believer, the King is the Supreme ruler of Creation — Yahuah.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, when grace is mentioned in scripture, the focus of attention is not on the giver, but on the recipient, of what is given. The Greek form of the word is charis (G5485), which is defined as “a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, beneficial opportunity, or act of favor.” Eleos, the word for mercy, implies “compassion, kindness, or goodwill towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to help.” (G1656)
We have been invited to enter the throne room of the Sovereign ruler of all things. We come, not relying on our own merits but on the shed blood of Yeshua, our righteous Savior. Knowing this allows us to approach with humble expectations of mercy and the blessed assurance that our Father will always act in our best interest.
FOOTNOTES
1 Chavah (H2332) is a Hebrew word meaning life giver or to live. This is harmonious with the description in Genesis 3:20 — “…because she was the mother of all living.” So where did the English transliteration Eve come from? According to Robert Alter [“The Five Books of Moses”, 2004, Commentary on Genesis iii.20]: “In the Hebrew here, the phonetic similarity is between hawah, “Eve,” and the verbal root hayah, “to live.” It has been proposed that Eve’s name conceals very different origins, for it sounds suspiciously like the Aramaic word for “serpent.” Others link the name “Eve” to the word “evil” and blame the woman for bringing sin down on the entire world.
2Albert Barnes Commentary on Genesis 3: “Up to a certain point there had been concord and alliance between these two parties. But, on the very opening of the heavenly court, we learn that the friendly connection had been broken. For the woman said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” This expression indicates that the woman was no longer at one with the serpent. When God, therefore, said, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman,” this revulsion of feeling on her part, in which Adam no doubt joined, was acknowledged and approved. Enmity with the enemy of God indicated a return to friendship with God, and presupposed incipient feelings of repentance toward him, and reviving confidence in his word. The perpetuation of this enmity is here affirmed, in regard not only to the woman but to her seed. This prospect of seeing, and of a godly seed, at enmity with evil, became a fountain of hope to our first parents and confirmed every feeling of returning reverence for God which was beginning to spring up in their breast. The word heard from the mouth of God begat faith in their hearts, and we shall find that this faith was not slow to manifest itself in acts.”
3 In some Bible translations, Mark 9:29 omits the word fasting. Similarly, in chapter 17 of Matthew’s gospel, there is no mention of prayer and/or fasting in many translations. The disciples’ inability to drive out the unclean spirit is attributed to a lack of faith. The Codex Sianaiticus and Codex Vaticanus do not include the verse.
By now you have probably heard about the artificial intelligence chatbot known as ChatGPT. Developed by OpenAI, this controversial new technology is described as a “natural language” processing tool powered by artificial intelligence. ChatGPT is categorized as a “conversational” A.I. language model that basically allows you to talk to a computer program.
So how does it work?
Unlike the experience of typing questions into a search engine text field, a chatbot runs on language model architecture and can hold a conversation with the end user. Whereas a search engine will index information and retrieve answers based on your query, OpenAI claims that ChatGPT doesn’t operate this way.
They say it does not have the ability to search the internet for answers. The way it “learns” is by using information called training data that it has stored in order to give a response. You can use it to…
write code
build an app
write poetry
write excel formulas
write blog posts & books
answer theological questions
And yet, many people are still concerned about its potential for mischief.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
In its simplest form, AI is a collection of data that forms the building blocks of intelligent machines. Like the six-million dollar man from the 70s TV series, AI is made in man’s image by men. Its goal is to be “stronger, better, and faster” than humans. Speed, precision, and effectiveness are the hallmarks of this new technology.
In a 2019 article1 posted to the Forbes website, columnist Naveen Joshi asserts that artificial intelligence (AI) can be split into seven categories.
reactive (no memory, responds to stimuli)
limited memory (uses memory to learn and improve responses)
theory of mind (understands the needs of other intelligent entities)
self-aware (human-like intelligence and self-awareness)
According to Wikipedia, ChatGPT is in the “generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) family of language models. OpenAI collects data from ChatGPT users to train and fine-tune the service further. Users can upvote or downvote responses they receive from ChatGPT and fill in a text field with additional feedback.”
Many in the technology field argue that natural language AI doesn’t pose a danger to society in that it is not sentient. (However, the bot does use personal pronouns when responding to questions about its identity and abilities.)
As an AI language model, I am designed to generate responses that are as natural and human-like as possible. While I am not capable of having actual human experiences or emotions, I am constantly learning from a vast amount of text data to improve my ability to understand and respond to human language.
ChatGPT response to query
Harmless Fun or Something More Disturbing?
Out of curiosity I recently posed several questions to the ChatGPT bot to see how “it” would respond. I submitted four questions related to the Gospel of the Kingdom. Here is the transcript of my “conversation” with the bot:
Q: Did Jesus ever teach that the Law was done away with?
Jesus did not teach that the Law was done away with. In fact, he explicitly stated that he did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it.
In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”
Jesus was saying that he came to fulfill the Law, to bring it to its intended completion, and to show its true meaning and purpose. He was not saying that the Law was no longer relevant or that it was abolished.
Throughout his teachings, Jesus emphasized the importance of following God’s commandments and living according to his will. He taught that the two greatest commandments were to love God with all your heart, should, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 37-40)
So, while Jesus did not teach that the Law was done away with, he did emphasize the importance of understanding the true meaning and purpose of the Law and living a life that is in accordance with God’s will.
Q: What is prolepsis in the context of biblical salvation?
Prolepsis in the context of biblical salvation refers to the idea that believers in Jesus Christ are already considered saved, even though they have not yet received the fullness of their salvation. In other words, salvation is seen as both a present reality and a future hope.
This concept is based on several biblical passages that speak of believers as having already been saved, even though they have not yet received the full benefits of their salvation.
For example, in Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works so that no one can boast.”
Similarly, in Romans 8:24, Paul writes, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have.”
Prolepsis emphasizes the idea that believers are already part of the kingdom of God and have a secure future, even though they may still struggle with sin and face trials and difficulties in this life. It also emphasizes the importance of living a life that is consistent with the reality of salvation, by seeking to live in obedience to God’s will and by serving others in love.
Q: What is the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached?
The Gospel of the Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It refers to the message that Jesus preached during his time on earth, which was focused on the coming of God’s kingdom and the invitation to enter it.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is about more than just the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. It also includes the idea of living under the reign of God, submitting to His will, and participating in the work of building His kingdom on earth.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of hope, peace, and transformation, both on an individual and societal level. It calls us to turn away from our old ways of living and to follow Jesus as our King, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to love and serve others as He did.
In summary, the Gospel of the Kingdom is the good news that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can enter into God’s kingdom and experience His rule and reign in our lives, both now and for eternity.
Q: Does “grace” exempt believers in Jesus from obeying the commandments?
No, grace does not exempt believers in Jesus from obeying the commandments. While salvation is a gift of grace that is received through faith in Jesus Christ, obedience to God’s commandments is still an important aspect of the Christian life.
In fact, Jesus himself said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). And in Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus taught that he did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. He also said that those who practice and teach God’s commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Paul, who wrote extensively on the topic of grace, emphasized the importance of obedience to God’s commandments in his letters to the early Christian communities. For example, in Romans 6:1-2, he wrote, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
In addition, James 2:14-17 teaches that faith without works is dead and that true faith will result in actions that reflect obedience to God’s commandments. Rather, obedience to God’s commandments is a natural outworking of true faith in Jesus Christ.
OMG. What Just Happened?
After reading through the responses, I was shocked. And amused. The chatbot’s answers lined up beautifully with my understanding of the gospel message that Yeshua preached. I experienced an emotional high.
However, after sharing the results and admitting to my “fascination” with this thing, a friend gently cautioned me to beware. She shared a video from Founded Earth Brothers titled “An Unclean Spirit Used AI to Speak To My Son.”
Founded Earth Brothers chose not to link to the AI engine the boy used. They did not want to tempt others by leaving a link — this is wisdom.
FEB says the site operators claimed that their artificial intelligence engine “uses neural language models as their foundation. A machine learns to generate what words might come next in any given context by reading enormous amounts of literature.” So, in fairness, there is no way to know if this had anything to do with ChatGPT.
I sent the FEB video link to friends who have three young sons, as a warning. As part of their AI research, they submitted the following queries to ChatGPT:
Q: Are you a disembodied spirit?
No. I am not a disembodied spirit. I am a computer program that runs on servers and interacts with users through various interfaces, such as text-based chat or voice-based assistants While I do not have a physical body, I exist as code that is executed on machines, and my abilities are limited to the tasks and functions that I have been programmed to perform.
Q: Can you lie?
As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have beliefs or intentions like human beings do, so I cannot “lie” in the same sense. However, it is possible for me to generate responses that are factually inaccurate or misleading if I am provided with incorrect or incomplete information, or if my training data contains inaccuracies or biases. It is important to keep in mind that I am a machine learning model that processes information based on statistical pattersn, and my responses are only as good as the data that I have been trained on and the instructions I have been given.
Then, I stumbled upon this video:
Whose Testimony Will You Receive?
After reading through answers to my questions from the ChatGPT artificial intelligence bot I couldn’t help but be blown away initially — especially since the answers almost perfectly align with topics discussed in The Gospel Worth Dying For.
We should remember that there is safety in numbers. We should always be in relationship with others in the faith because they act as “checks and balances” on our behavior and keep us from straying off the narrow path that Scripture puts before us. (Psalm 1:1,2) Unclean spirits always tease and temp in areas of our lives where we are emotionally or soulishly invested.
You may recall several instances in the Bible where demons recognized Yeshua and the authority his name carried. They even verbally testified what they knew about him. But Yeshua would have none of it. Neither should we.
Demons also came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked the demons and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ.
Luke 4:41 Berean Study Bible
“Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked the demon, “Be silent!” He said, “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.
Luke 4:34,35 Berean Study Bible
This was more than just demons recognizing Yeshua as Messiah. By their testimony, they were implying that they were in league together and could have given the impression to onlookers that they were of one accord.
All the people wondered in amazement, and said, “Could this be the Son of David (the Messiah)?” But the Pharisees heard it and said, “This man casts out demons only by [the help of] Beelzebul (Satan) the prince of the demons.”
Matthew 12:23,24 Amplified Bible
It happened that as we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination [that is, a demonic spirit claiming to foretell the future and discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners a good profit by fortune-telling. She followed after Paul and us and kept screaming and shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” She continued doing this for several days. Then Paul, being greatly annoyed and worn out, turned and said to the spirit [inside her], “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ [as His representative] to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
Acts 16:16-18 Amplified Bible
Righteousness should never be in partnership with darkness. (2 Corinthians 6)
Sisters and brothers, please be careful with any experimentation that seems to pull you or your loved ones toward this.
FOOTNOTES
1 Naveen Joshi, “7 Types of Artificial Intelligence,” www.forbes.com, 2019 https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2019/06/19/7-types-of-artificial-intelligence/?sh=7d45aed3233e, Last accessed April 7, 2023
See Also…
“Uh oh, Chatbots Are Getting a Teeny Bit Sentient” (https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a43601915/ai-chatbots-may-be-getting-sentient/)
“Legal expert issues AI warning after being defamed by ChatGPT” (https://www.wnd.com/2023/04/legal-expert-issues-ai-warning-defamed-chatgpt/)
We all have a story to tell. And each story is as unique and mystifying as the storyteller. You undoubtedly recall the day, down to the minute, when you came face-to-face with Yeshua. It was a day that forever changed the trajectory of your life. The same can be said of the mysterious, unnamed woman at the well in the fourth chapter of John’s gospel.
Believers in Messiah share a common experience. At certain times in our lives, we sense the need to tell the story of how we became a believer in Yeshua by faith. The narrative is based on a specific point in place and time when we supernaturally encountered our Savior. Each story is unique. And, for each individual, it is the greatest story ever told.
This was the case for the woman at the well — the Samaritan woman who had an appointment with Yeshua but didn’t know it yet.
Yeshua had an Appointment to Keep
On his way to Galilee, our Messiah made it a point to stop in Samaria because he needed to meet with a certain woman.
Traveling to Galilee from Judea could have been accomplished in two ways: by heading west to the King’s Highway along the Mediterranean Sea or by heading east from Jerusalem to the Jordan, then traveling north. The seventy-mile journey would take approximately two-and-a-half days.
So, why the detour, and why this particular woman?
We are given a few hints, based on what transpired previously. John the Immerser (Baptist) had been given an earful from some of the disciples about the number of people who were being immersed by Yeshua (for purification) in the waters of Aenon. However, John had to clarify something:
John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.”
John 3:27 KJV
He must increase, but I must decrease. “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.
John 3:30,31 KJV
John is setting the stage to help us grasp the nuance of the conversation that Yeshua is about to have with the Samarian woman. He is trying to convey to the disciples that this was not a “baptism” contest. There were deeper, spiritual things going on that would have eternal consequences for those who refused to accept that Yeshua was the Son of the Highest, and had come in His Father’s authority.
“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:35,36 KJV
The Encounter Takes Place At A Well
So now the stage is set for Messiah’s meeting at the well in Sychar1, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to Joseph. (Some speculate that Yeshua would have been around 29 years old at this time.) The disciples who were traveling with him had gone into town to get food, so Yeshua and the woman were alone.
Two things stand out here: the encounter was “unexpected” by the woman but “planned” by Yeshua. This is so often the case with us. Usually, our Messiah meets us in the privacy of our hearts (thoughts) at a time when we did not expect him.
First, Yeshua asks something of her — he asks for a drink of water.
Yeshua didn’t hand out tracks or pull out a bullhorn or appear in a flame of fire. He was merely thirsty after a long trip and needed water. She had the means to draw up water from the well and was already preparing to do so. (Keep in mind that the time when women usually drew water was in the evening, but there were special reasons why this woman came by herself.) This approach gave him a natural opening that would lead to a conversation about sin, repentance, worship, the Ruach, and the way to everlasting life.
It is interesting that a simple request for a drink of water would cause the woman to steer the conversation into a discussion about ethnic/religious protocol and practice. But Yeshua ignored the statement and got to the meat of the matter. She needed to know who was asking and that he was capable of doing so much more for her. She just needed to slough off faulty “religious” doctrine and expand way her thinking. He asks the same of us.
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 4:10 KJV
Theologian F.B. Meyer:
The living water is not a stagnant pond or well, but leaps up from a hidden spring. The woman keeps referring to the well, Jesus to the spring in the well. That alone can satisfy. Not the word, but the spirit in the word. Not the rite, but the grace it symbolized. You first drink for your own need, then you help meet the need of others.
Before many of us could truly understand the gift Yeshua was offering us, we had to want something more. Our spiritual thirst needed to be quenched. But first, our paradigm had to shift.
The woman said to Him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do you get that living water?
John 4:11 KJB
Again, this woman was applying logic to a situation that defied logic. (John 4:11-12) She was mired in carnal reasoning when something more was needed. She needed to understand what John the Immerser had alluded to in the previous chapter. The woman at the well needed to listen to Yeshua’s claims about himself and understand that because he was sent by the Father, then nothing was impossible for him. Remember, the living water is also symbolic of the resurrection that only our High Priest Yeshua can make happen.
The Woman Had To Confess Her Sin
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
The compassion Yeshua shows this woman is remarkable. The one who first came to seek and save those who are lost is put on display here. He didn’t wag his finger in her face to expose what he already knew about her. Yeshua orchestrated the conversation in a way that the woman felt safe enough to say out loud what had probably been a source of shame for many years, with many husbands.
Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband.’ “for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband: in that you spoke truly.”
John 4:16-18
A key aspect of our conversion experience rightly involves our confession of sin. Not being sorry for getting caught. But a soul-wrenching realization that we are not worthy of the mercy and grace given us. After confession, we commit to following our High Priest’s example of righteous living, knowing that he walks alongside us to guide us and bear our burdens.
Yeshua Went From Prophet to Savior
In the final phase of her awakening, this woman’s eyes are completely opened. The leap in her understanding of who she was speaking to at the well went from Prophet to Savior. It came in stages, which led to her fully grasping the concept of true worship. (John 4:19-26)
F.B. Meyer:
The woman evaded the sword thrust, but she realized that she was dealing with a master hand in the spiritual realm. Hence her question about worship. This led to one of the greatest sayings ever uttered on earth: that God is Spirit; that He is ever searching for true worshipers; and that He is indifferent to places and nationalities and method, that we cannot worship until we live in the spirit realm and are willing to conform ourselves absolutely to truth. These thoughts have revolutionized the religious thinking of mankind. They have not yet fulfilled their mission, but they bear witness to the unique supremacy of the Christ.
The Woman Shared Her Good News
Imagine the look on her face when she finally realized who she had been speaking with — the prophesied Messiah. More than that, this sinful woman was deemed worthy enough for Yeshua to interrupt his travel plans to meet with her and explain the way to Salvation. After all, by the (religious) world’s standards, she was not worth the time of day because she was female, a Samaritan, and an adulterer.
But we can all testify to the fact that Yeshua did the same for us.
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:8-11 KJV
This woman’s life was completely resurrected because she was willing to set aside her preconceptions and beliefs about religion and herself. Once she fully grasped the magnitude of Yeshua’s identity, she dropped everything and ran to tell the men. There would be a ripple effect.
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
John 4:29 KJV
Because it was the men who were responsible for their family’s spiritual guidance, the whole town would be impacted for good. The living water flowed from Messiah to the woman at the well, to the townspeople!
Then they went out of the city and came to him.
John 4:30 KJV
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I did.” So when the Samaritans had come to him, they urged him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, “the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42 KJV
To their credit, the men went to the source. They responded to the woman’s testimony but they took the next step. They searched the living Word to test whether what she said was indeed true.
We all know that this walk involves a lifetime of confession, worship, and obedience. “Once saved always saved” sounds nice, but it leads to complacency and puts us in spiritual jeopardy. Only those who endure to the end, and, by faith walk in obedience to Torah, will enter the Kingdom.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13 KJV
Remember, we first drink for our own needs, then we help meet the need of others.
Maranatha!
Share Your Story
Do you see yourself in the conversation Yeshua had with the Samaritan woman? What happened after you believed unto eternal life? Please share your faith testimony with our community. We will post a testimony each month on the GWDF blog.
1 Based on John 4:15, some scholars believe that Sychar is actually the biblical city of Shechem (aka Tel Balata and Nablus, today). Sychar was located in the region of Samaria in the territory of Ephraim during Bible times. Sychar/Shechem/Nablus lies between the two famous mountains of Gerizim and Ebal.
Photo credit: “The Samaritan Woman at the Well”, by Vasily Polenov, circa 1900s
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